Outcomes and complications of Traumatic ear lobe repair techniques: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Traumatic earlobe is a frequently encountered problem in our practice. Numerous techniques have been published in the past decades including case reports, retrospective reviews, and prospective studies. However, to date, no study has investigated the overall complications or satisfaction rates associated with the wide spectrum of techniques.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to assess the outcomes of the various earlobe repair techniques and to provide a simplified classification system.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed database was queried in search of clinical studies describing surgical and non-surgical techniques, which reported techniques, indications, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies, published from 1973 through 2019, were included. Six main technique categories were identified: These were straight-line closure (type 1, n = 82), Z-plasty (type 2, n = 165), flaps (type 3, n = 66), L-specular plasty (type 4, n = 35), double-curve specular plasty (type 5, n = 15), and non-surgical techniques (type 6, n = 38). Z-plasty (type 2) had the highest post-operative infection rate of 11.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

While all the techniques are generally simple and efficient, they should be chosen based on both surgeon and patient preference. Complication rates and morbidity are relatively low.